Montgomery County is home to 13 species of frogs and toads, 13 species of salamanders, nine species of turtles, four species of lizards, and at least 17 species of snakes. Only one snake species in Montgomery County, the Copperhead is venomous. Harmless snakes such as northern water snake, eastern rat snake, and corn snakes are often mistaken for copperheads. DEP recognizes the importance of amphibians and reptiles as indicators of water quality and includes them in the County's biological monitoring program. DEP is using its amphibian and reptile monitoring program to assess stream conditions, evaluate watershed health, and protect key habitat. Please consult the County's amphibian and reptile monitoring information page. For additional questions on amphibian and reptile identification and ecology and programs involving "herps" (from herpetology: the scientific study of reptiles and amphibians) a biologist from the Department of Environmental Protection can assist.